Bumper attached headlight



Jan. 13, 1942. G. w. KowALsKY BUMPER ATTACHED 'HEADLIGHT Filed July 15, 1940 ATTO R N EYS Patented Jan. 13, 1942 BUMPER ATTACHED HEADLIGHT George W. Kowalsky, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., as-

signor of one-half to Albert J. Forst,Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

Application July 15, 1940, Serial No. 345,640`

3 Claims. (Ql. 24U-f7.1)

The present invention relates to a new and improved bumper attached headlight.

An important object of the invention resides in the provision of a headlight including an elongated transparent tube supported in parallel i relation to the bumper and illuminating means carried by the tube for reflection therethrough to give the desired illumination to the vehicle in the event that the conventional headlights should burn out or otherwise become damaged while driving at night.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bumper attached headlight having the above characteristics in which novel means is provided for supporting the elongated tube from the bumper.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means for supporting the illuminating element Within the tube and a reector for the same which is expansibly mounted within the tube.

The invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a vehicle showing the improved headlight attached to the front bumper.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the invention.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view through the tube and illustrating the manner of supporting the illuminating element therein.

The present invention has been designed to aid in eliminating accidents on the highway caused by faulty illumination. The bumper attached light is to be used when one or both of the main headlights become extinguished due to a short circuit, faulty fuse or the like and will impart suiicient illumination to the roadway for safe travel until the main headlights can be repaired.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, there is disclosed a ,vehicle generally designated by the reference numeral tion attached to the front end thereof to which is attached a headlight in accordance with the present invention, which is generally designated by the reference numeral l'. The headlight l includes an elongated tube 8 formed of a 'exible transparent substance, each end of said vtube being held within a metal case or holder 9. A metal strip I0 is riveted or otherwise secured as indicated atII-y to each of the holders 9 to which the tube 8 is attached by screws or the like I2. It will be observed that the tube 8 is mounted horizontally of thevehicle and is supported in back of the bumper so as to be free from contact with any' object contacting the bumper 6. v

A metal block I3 is held in each end of the tube 8 within the holder 9,,said block being formed with a vertical opening I4 and horizontal opening I5 extending at right angles thereto and communicating therewith. A socket I 8 is held within the opening I5l for supporting a light bulb I1. A feature of the present invention consists of providing a funnel-shaped reector I8 which surrounds the light bulb I'I and which is expansible so as to urge and maintain the wall of the tube 8 in contact with the case or holder 9. The reflector I8, as more particularly shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, is carried on the socket IB and reects the light from the bulb I'I through the tube 8.

An exteriorly threaded tubular stud I9 is secured within the opening I4 and extends downwardly through the holder 9, the lower end oi said stud being threadedly secured within a post or bracket 20. The upper end of the post 2U is offset inwardly as indicated at 2| so as to maintain the tube 8 rearwardly of the bumper 6. The post 20 extends through a pair of clamps 22 and the lower end of the post is exteriorly threaded for receiving the nut 23 and it will be understood that by tightening said nut against the lowermost clamp 22 which is in engagement with the lower face of the bumper 6 said post will be secured thereto. The upper clamp 22 is adjustably held relative to the post 20 by means of a pin 24. This arrangement will firmly anchor the post 20 and tube 8 to the bumper, it being understood that the clamps and post are provided on each end of the bumper for supporting the tube which parts are of identical construction. A nut 25 maintains the holder 9 in position on the post 20.

The light bulb in each end of the tube is supplied with current from the battery or other 5 having a bumper 8 of conventional construc- 55 source by a wire 26 which leads into the post 20 and upwardly through the tubular stud I9 for connection with the socket I6. A plug 21 formed with a tapered hole 28 is tted into the post 20, said plug locking the insulating cable 29 therein. The wire 26 is attached to the cable 29 at the point 30 and the tapered hole in the plug 21 will retain the wire 26 against movement. An annular groove 3| is formed in the plug 21 which engages shoulders formed on the post for retaining the plug in position. The plug 21 may be formed of a flexible material adapted to be compressed for insertion and removal from the post.

A separate switch, not shown, is mounted on the dash or other accessible position of the vehicle for controlling the circuit to the bulb I1. The light reecting from the bulb l1 on each end of the tube will be transmitted through the tube for illuminating the vehicle and the roadway in front of the same and will aiord sufficient illumination for the vehicle to travel safely until the main headlights have been repaired.

A set screw 32 extends through the post 20 into engagement with the tubular stud I9 forming a locking means for retaining said stud in position.

Also it will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that variations in the hereinabove described device involving the substitution of substantial equivalents for the devices described are intended to be comprehended within the spirit of the present invention and that the invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be Amade therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bumper attached headlight comprising, an elongated transparent tube, a tubular holder for supporting each end of said tube, means for attaching said holders to the bumper whereby said tube will be held above said bumper and rearwardly thereof, said means including a vertical post attached to each holder, clamping means on said bumper through which said posts extend, and illuminating means carried by said tube.

2. A bumper attached headlight comprising, an elongated transparent tube, a tubular holder for supporting each end of said tube, a transverse bar extending from one of said holders to the other of said holders, said tube being supported upon said bar, means for attaching said holders to the bumper whereby said tube will be held above said bumper and rearwardly thereof, a block held in each end of said tube within said holders, a socket for a lamp bulb carried in each block, and a reflector carried by said socket and surrounding said bulb for directing rays of light therefrom through said tube.

3. A bumper attached headlight comprising, an elongated transparent tube, a tubular holder for supporting each end of said tube, means for attaching said holders to the bumper whereby said tube will be held above said bumper and rearwardly thereof, said means including members attached to each of said holders, clamping means on said bumper through which said members extend, a block held in each end of said tube, a tubular stud connecting each of said blocks with each of said members, a socket carried by each of said blocks for supporting a light bulb, the current for illuminating said light bulb being carried through a wire threaded through said tubular stud, and a reilector carried by each of said sockets and surrounding said light bulb for transmitting light rays through said tube, said reilector being expansible for contact with said tube to retain said tube within said holders.

GEORGE W. KOWALSKY. 

